Surfshark vs Private Internet Access
Compare Surfshark's household coverage with Private Internet Access's desktop controls.
Private Internet Access's desktop controls suit users who want to adjust connection behavior; Surfshark is an option for connecting shared household devices. On the plans compared here, Surfshark covers unlimited simultaneous devices; Private Internet Access covers unlimited simultaneous devices. Check that each network includes the locations you need. Network coverage: Surfshark (4,500+ servers · 100 countries); Private Internet Access (NextGen servers in 91 countries).
Based on published provider facts and editorial assessment. How we evaluate. Some links earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.
Surfshark
Choose Surfshark if its locations and unlimited simultaneous devices fit your household.
Read the review →Private Internet Access
Choose Private Internet Access for configurable desktop connections if unlimited simultaneous devices meets your needs.
Read the review →
Want to test it on your own devices?
The quickest way to settle a shortlist is to check the official deal page, install the apps you actually use, and lean on the refund window if it is not the right fit.
Offer terms
Surfshark: Check current Starter long-term offer
Private Internet Access: 3 years + 3 months: $2.03/mo (USD)
A current price was not confirmed for every plan. Check each provider for your currency, upfront payment, included months, renewal price and tax.
Upfront costs and renewal notes →Same device allowance
Both allow Unlimited simultaneous connections on the plans compared.
Refund terms
Surfshark: 30 days from the initial purchase; exclusions apply and renewals are not refundable
Private Internet Access: 30-day guarantee; eligibility and purchase-channel conditions apply
Eligibility, payment method and subscription length can affect the guarantee.
The details side by side
| Head to head | Surfshark | Private Internet Access |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly plan | Check current Starter monthly price | Monthly plan: $11.95/mo (USD) |
| Advertised long-term offer | Check current Starter long-term offer | 3 years + 3 months: $2.03/mo (USD) |
| Devices on compared plan | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Countries | 100 | 91 |
| Network | 4,500+ servers · 100 countries | NextGen servers in 91 countries |
| Refund window | 30 days from the initial purchase; exclusions apply and renewals are not refundable | 30-day guarantee; eligibility and purchase-channel conditions apply |
| Jurisdiction | Netherlands | United States |
| Protocol | WireGuard; other protocols vary by platform | WireGuard + OpenVPN |
| Anti-blocking | OpenVPN obfuscation | Multi-Hop and Obfuscation with Shadowsocks on desktop |
| Audit / privacy | Deloitte no-logs assurance reports in 2023 and 2025; full reports require a Surfshark account | Deloitte limited assurance as of October 2025, plus earlier audits and transparency reports |
| WireGuard | ||
| Kill switch | ||
| Split tunneling | ||
| Audited no-logs | ||
| Score for overall | 8/10 | 8/10 |
Equal editorial scores do not produce a winner. Device limits correspond to the advertised entry plan; paid upgrades may differ.
Editorial scores by use case
Overall: Equal scores
Both have the same editorial overall score (8/10). There is no score-based winner. Compare the features, plan terms and privacy documents that matter to you.
Streaming: Surfshark
Surfshark has the higher editorial streaming score. Surfshark: 9/10; Private Internet Access: 8/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
Gaming: Equal scores
Both have the same editorial gaming score (8/10). There is no score-based winner. Compare the features, plan terms and privacy documents that matter to you.
Privacy: Surfshark
Surfshark has the higher editorial privacy score. Surfshark: 8/10; Private Internet Access: 7/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
What differs
Offer terms
Surfshark: Check current Starter long-term offer. Private Internet Access: 3 years + 3 months: $2.03/mo (USD). A current price was not confirmed for every plan. Check each provider for your currency, upfront payment, included months, renewal price and tax.
Country coverage
Surfshark lists 100 countries versus Private Internet Access's 91, which can matter for travel and regional access.
Where each is based
Surfshark is based in Netherlands, while Private Internet Access operates from United States. Jurisdiction is worth weighing if data-retention rules are part of your decision.
Main protocol
Surfshark documents WireGuard; other protocols vary by platform; Private Internet Access documents WireGuard + OpenVPN. Availability and defaults vary by app and platform.
Questions about Surfshark vs Private Internet Access
Which is better, Surfshark or Private Internet Access?
Both have the same editorial overall score (8/10). There is no score-based winner. Compare the features, plan terms and privacy documents that matter to you.
Which offer costs less?
Surfshark: Check current Starter long-term offer. Private Internet Access: 3 years + 3 months: $2.03/mo (USD). A current price was not confirmed for every plan. Check each provider for your currency, upfront payment, included months, renewal price and tax.
Which one supports more devices?
Both allow Unlimited simultaneous connections on the plans compared.
Which is better for streaming?
Surfshark has the higher editorial streaming score. Surfshark: 9/10; Private Internet Access: 8/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
Which has the stronger privacy score?
Surfshark has the higher editorial privacy score. Surfshark: 8/10; Private Internet Access: 7/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
Are both links affiliate links?
Some provider links may earn us a commission; others are ordinary links. This does not determine our scores. Prices, regional offers and eligibility must be confirmed on the provider website.
Sources and offer notes
Surfshark
Provider fact check: 2026-09-05
See Surfshark for current Starter pricing in your currency. Long-term offers are billed up front and renew at the applicable standard rate. Prices depend on currency, tax and promotion; check the total and renewal amount before subscribing.
- Paid devices, plan structure and regional pricing (surfshark.com)
- Server count, countries and network hardware (surfshark.com)
- Refund eligibility and contracting entity (surfshark.com)
- Renewal and currency policy (surfshark.com)
- No-logs assurance and security audit history (surfshark.com)
- Kill switch and split tunneling (surfshark.com)
- OpenVPN obfuscation and platform availability (surfshark.com)
- Dausos platform limitation (support.surfshark.com)
Private Internet Access
Provider fact check: 2026-09-05
USD offer checked September 5, 2026: $11.95 billed monthly; the 39-month offer advertises $2.03/mo and renewal at $79 every three years. The initial total for the 39-month offer was not separately verified. Check the upfront total, tax and your regional offer before purchase.
- USD pricing, 39 month offer and recurring amounts; unlimited devices;91 countries/all 50 USstates; new-subscriber guarantee footnote (privateinternetaccess.com)
- FAQ explicitly 91 countries; no confirmed total server count (privateinternetaccess.com)
- Current desktop protocol and privacy-setting documentation (helpdesk.privateinternetaccess.com)
- Vendor no-logs policy and audit explanation (privateinternetaccess.com)
- 30 day initial-purchase/renewal refund terms and payment-channel/repeat-refund restrictions (privateinternetaccess.com)
- Identifies US corporate entity and office (privateinternetaccess.com)
- Third-audit announcement updated February 24, 2026; links actual report (privateinternetaccess.com)
- 10-page limited assurance report (assets-cms.privateinternetaccess.com)
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